Assembly of First Nations adopts resolution to add two-spirit council to governance structure
CBC
The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) special chiefs assembly voted to adopt a resolution to create a two-spirit council, and leaders hope it will create space for more inclusive governance at all levels.
The resolution will see the AFN establish a 2SLGBTQ council as a "recognized principal organ," with a role similar to the elders', women's and youth councils in the organization's governance structure.
"It was a little bit emotional for me when I was speaking to it … because there's a lot of experiences of homophobia and transphobia, just discrimination even within First Nations communities," said Khelsilem, the chairperson of the Squamish Nation.
Khelsilem, who identifies as queer, put forward the motion at the virtual special chiefs assembly on Tuesday.
The motion was seconded by Brent Bissaillion, chief of Serpent River First Nation near Sudbury, Ont., and was passed unanimously by the chiefs in attendance.
Khelsilem said this opens up the door for other First Nations organizations to follow suit.
"The AFN as an organization can be quite conservative in terms of how it approaches different issues and it's not always representative of the full scope of possibilities that are available to First Nations," he said.
"I think for our young people in our communities who might not feel included or represented or heard as a part of this community, this might be a way to open up that conversation and think about ways to bring some of these ideas on the national level."
The new council will likely have two representatives from each of the AFN's regions. While most positions will be appointed by the regional chiefs, some will have the potential to be voted on, in provinces like British Columbia.
Bissaillion, who identifies as two-spirit, was recently re-elected chief of Serpent River First Nation in October. He said that during his first term, he started advocating at the AFN assemblies for a council that would include 2SLGBTQ perspectives.
"I'm hoping that it will create a change," said Bissaillion.
"I'm hoping that this is the start of a movement where two-spirited people, gay, trans and all of these people are included in leadership decisions. And what a beautiful thing that will be."
Cindy Woodhouse, the AFN's Manitoba regional chief, applauded the decision made by the chiefs.
"I think it's great. We need to be inclusive of all people, women and youth and men and LGBTQ. It's a good balance," said Woodhouse.
In over 30 years of practice, Dr. Errol Billinkoff rarely saw a man without kids come into his Winnipeg clinic to get a vasectomy. But since the pandemic began, he says it's become an almost daily occurrence.
Elsie Yanik Catholic School in Fort McMurray, Alta., has been trying to build a teepee for a long time, according to the school's Indigenous liaison Michelle Janvier.
The Cree Nation of Mistissini and the government of Quebec signed an agreement to create the first national park in Eeyou Istchee, called Nibiischii Park, which translates to "land of water."
This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.
At 2 a.m. one morning in December, Mariah Gladstone asked herself: "Did I really just make a little gory buffalo butcher scene out of Sour Patch Kids and fruit leather?"
December isn't just about the holidays — it's also the time of year we get to enjoy what is often touted as one of the best meteor showers of the year: the Geminids.
A proposed deal that would see three tobacco giants pay out billions to provinces and territories, as well as smokers across Canada, has been approved by the companies' creditors, a lawyer representing some of the creditors says, calling it an important milestone in a lengthy legal saga.
With the Canada Post strike in its fourth week, Inuit and First Nations communities in remote areas are disproportionately feeling the strain.
Invasive species experts are asking those decorating for the holidays to check their trees, wreaths and garland for hidden pests.
Gilles-Francis Pone Shecanapish may not be able to talk about his experience being flown 500 kilometres to a psych ward, but his sister says the experience has left a mark on the 40-year-old who has severe intellectual disabilities and is non-verbal.
WARNING: This story contains details of deaths at residential schools.